Top 10 Walks in and Around Edinburgh

This landmark is one of the most prominent attractions in Edinburgh. It’s easy to reach by any means of transportation thanks to it being on a hill in Edinburgh’s city center. Edinburgh Castle offers some of the best views of the city; it’s a perfect place for beautiful walks in Edinburgh. Aside from the breathtaking vistas, this place has a lot to offer to history buffs since it’s an ancient medieval castle full of historic artifacts. Points of interest in Edinburgh Castle include the Royal Palace, the Great Hall, the Stone of Destiny, Mons Meg, and the Honours of Scotland. However, you’ll have to pay the entry fee to walk on the castle grounds.

Difficulty Level
Easy

Perfect for
History buffs, families, and children

The Water of Leith Walkway is a public walkway along the bank of the eponymous small river. It’s an amazing opportunity to take a break from the hectic city life and enjoy a calm and relaxing walk along the riverbank. This route is easily accessible by everyone, including families with children and people with leashed dogs. It may be a bit too long for smaller kids, but you can take your time and stop for a photo or to rest. Among the highlights that you can see on this route are the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Dean Village, and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. We recommend this route due to its accessibility since you can join it at any part of the walkway.

Difficulty Level
Moderate

Perfect for
Families and sightseers

The highlight of this area is a previously active volcano in the middle of Holyrood Park called Arthur’s Seat. This hill is the highest point in the entirety of Edinburgh, and it offers a spectacular view for anyone willing to go all the way to the top. Luckily, there are several hiking trails of varying difficulty for visitors of different degrees of fitness. Also, there is no entrance fee for visiting Holyrood Park or Arthur’s Seat, so it’s a perfect spot for a fun outdoor afternoon. Overall, Arthur’s Seat is one of the best Edinburgh walks you can find, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone.

Difficulty Level
Moderate

Perfect for
Everyone

This hill is one of the seven hills that make up the foundation of the city of Edinburgh. As one of the highest points in the city, Blackford Hill has a pretty great panorama of Edinburgh. This place is a small enclave of the countryside, full of woodland paths, greenery, and wildlife. The climb is a little trickier, thanks to the wilder surroundings, but the view from the top is a worthy reward for this hike. After the climb, you can celebrate in one of the nearby cafes like The Lodge Coffee house or Lean and Bean Cafe. This route is another good option for nice walks in Edinburgh that are more about exploring nature rather than the city.

Difficulty Level
Easy to moderate

Perfect for
Hikers and families

We’ve already mentioned Dean Village in a previous entry about the Water of Leith. The route starts from Stockbridge and takes you through Edinburgh’s New Town. On the way back, the route runs alongside the River Leith and through Dean Village. The highlight of this route is the eponymous village that instantly transports you back in time to its heyday as a vital grain milling area. You can still see remnants of the village’s past, like old mills converted into other buildings, memorial plaques, and a beautiful stone bridge. We recommend this route if you want to walk in a more rural environment without leaving the city.

Difficulty Level
Easy

Perfect for
Everyone

This public park north of Edinburgh’s city center has much to offer to any visitor. There is plenty of greenery, lots of space for walking, several places for different sports, and a picturesque boating pond. Other points of interest include Sundial Garden and Four Winds art center. Inverleith Park is a perfect place to visit for anyone; whether you enjoy walking in Edinburgh, taking in local sights, exercising, jogging, or a combination of these activities, this park has something for everyone. There are several notable attractions close to Inverleith Park, like Inverleith House and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the most prominent of Edinburgh’s botanic gardens.

Specialization
Easy

Perfect for
Everyone

This small hill is one of many great places to walk around in Edinburgh. It offers a fine view of the city, there are plenty of interesting places nearby, and it’s easy to climb. Edinburgh Waverley railway station is right around the corner, so getting there is not an issue. It won’t take you long to explore Calton Hill in its entirety, but it’s a worthwhile activity: there are several places of interest, like the Nelson Monument, the National Monument, the former City Observatory, and the City Dome. The latter two places host the exhibitions of the Collective Gallery, which has an impressive collection of contemporary art on display.

Specialization
Easy

Perfect for
Everyone

Moving further into Pentland Hills, our next route will take you to the shores of Harlaw Reservoir and Threipmuir Reservoir. This route is a beautiful and relaxing walk that is a long-time favorite among families visiting Edinburgh. The starting point of this route is at the car park of the Harlaw House Visitor Centre; you can follow the signs for Threipmuir Reservoir to start. There are several routes of varying lengths and difficulty that you can take here, enjoying the beautiful views of the reservoir shores, the woods, and Black Hill. This route is an easy hike suitable for visitors of all ages.

Difficulty Level
Easy

Perfect for
Everyone

What is it?
This short walk will take you to the beautiful village of Rosslyn, which lies seven miles south of Edinburgh. You can start at Rosslyn Chapel, make your way to the ruins of Rosslyn Castle, follow the river, and then turn back. If you don’t want to explore wilder areas of Edinburgh, this walk is a better option. It’s short, easy, and doesn’t require particular physical prowess, and you have plenty of time afterward to do something else. It’s perfect if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands and want to enjoy beautiful views. After all, Edinburgh is full of exciting activities to experience and memorable landmarks to explore.

Difficulty Level
Easy

Perfect for
Everyone